Multipurpose ruler



May 16, 1950 s. HAACK MULTIPURPOSE RULER Filed Jar). 14. 19,46

INVENToR.

smouri Hnncn. 26:7-,

Patented May 16, 1950 UNITED STATES OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in multi-purpose, adjustable rulers. Particularly it relates to a combination ruler and T square comprising a simple parent member which may be used as an ordinary ruler, and which carries Within itself a straight edge element that is slidably removable from the parent. Upon removal from its parent member, this straight edge element may be attached to the parent, and at right angles thereto whereby the parent ruler forms the head of a T square and the element forms the stem of the T square.

The object of my invention is to increase the usefulness of an ordinary ruler by providing it with an auxiliary ruler member conveniently housed Within the bounds of the parent as an integral part. To form a T square it is only necessary to slide the stem out of the longitudinal groove of the parent, and mount it in a transverse groove of the parent.

A particular feature of my invention is that under the guise of a simple ordinary ruler is provided a multi-function instrument, without increasing the weight, size, or general appearance of a normal ruler. The seccnd feature is that my invention combines a ruler and a potential T square in a single instrument possessing the carrying convenience and simplicity of an ordinary ruler.

Another feature of my multi-purpose instrument is that an extension ruler may be formed by sliding the stem partly out of the longitudinal groove of the parent to give increased measuring length to the latter. Still another feature is the compactness of the ruler. The stem may be carried as substantially an integral part of the parent, thus affording protection for the edges of the stem.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of one form of the invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein;

Fig. 1 is a plan view of my parent ruler member;

Fig. 2 is also a plan View showing the stem fitted into the transverse groove of the parent forming a T square;

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the` stem in the longitudinal groove and partly extended;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the ruler as shown in Fig. 1;

FiFig. 5 is a fragmentary, center front view of Fig. 6 is a View in section taken on line 5-6 of Fig. 2.

In appearance, my multi-purpose ruler is very similar to that of any ordinary ruler, and it may be provided with the usual marking indicia on one or both of its straight edges. Also, the ruler may be formed of any suitable material, such as wood, plastic or metal. In order to illustrate my invention, I have shown a parent ruler member II) having a straight edge member I8 mounted along one edge thereof and the usual marking in inches is provided along the same edge. This edge portion is beveled as indicated at la. A longitudinal dovetail groove Ii is formed in the upper surface of the member I0 and it extends throughout the length of the ruler. A groove I2, similar in cross sectional form to that of groove I l, is provided in the center of the parent In and at right angles thereto. Preferably, groove I2 is cut to the same depth as the longitudinal groove II.

Designed and shaped to slide snugly within the dovetail grooves of the parent I0 mentioned above, is a removable straight edge element or stem member I3 having bevelled sides Ill. This stem member I3 has an enlarged portion I5 at one end thereof which comprises laterally eX- tending lugs I6, the under surfaces of which are beveled or sloped as indicated at Il in Fig. 6. When the stem I3 is fully inserted in the longitudinal groove II, the lugs I are received Within recesses at either side of the groove II at the left hand end of the ruler, which recesses are formed by sloping surfaces 2li, so that the slope of the latter are complementary to the slope of surfaces I'l of lugs I6. Thus, the stem I3 may be carried Within the parent member It as an integral part thereof.

When it is desired to form a T square, the stem is slidably removed from groove II and. it is slid into groove I2 so that the sloping undersides of lugs It fit against the sloping surface i9 of the member It). Thus, the lugs I6 form a stop for positioning the stem and they also assist in maintaining the stem rigid relative to the member lil so that the T square thus formed is a rigid and substantially integral structure. Further, when the stem member is only partially inserted or attached in the transverse groove, the walls of this groove cooperate with the sides of the stem member to secure that member at a fixed angle relative to the parent ruler, with substantially snug fit.

The stem member I3 may have measurement markings or indicia on both beveled, straight edge sides, and one or both of the sides may have an inking edge. Thus, when the stem is slidably extended from the parent, an extension ruler is provided by the addition of the visible markings on the stem to the length of the parent member. Parent ruler l0 may have measurement markings on both sides to augment its usefulness.

The ruler as described above may be modified in certain details without departing from the principle of the invention as set forth and dened in the attached claims. The longitudinal and transverse grooves of the parent member iii need not be dovetail grooves but may take any shape so long as the grooves and the straight edge element or stem designed to slide therein are matched in shape and lit with equivalent security. Nor need the stop means which I have described above in my preferred form of the invention consist of matching bevels, but any reasonable equivalent may be employe-d so long,l as the object desired is attained. Nor is thel length of this ruler critical, althougl'r I would normally prefer to provide not more than eighteen inches. The stem member, however, need not be as long as the parent member out it should n be longer than the parent member.

The advantages i this multi-purpose ruler are manifold. Within the structure of an ordinary, limited length ruler are. provided the notentialities of a T square and' an extension r er with no increase in Weight, size or complexity. To the carrying and handling convenience of simple ruler are added the usefulness of a T square and length extension when desired, The usefulness of such a multimpurpose ruler for school child, eld engineer, and business man alike are too numerous to mention.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the structure herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equiv alent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point outv and distinctiy claim as my invention:

1. A multi-purpose ruler comprising, a parent ruler member having a longitudinal groove and a transverse grooveV at right angles thereto formed in one of its surfaces, the base level of bothl of said grooves lying in subA stantially the same plane, the areas of said paren-t member laterallyy adjacent one of said longitudinal groove havingA recess therein; a a groove matching stem *nember slida'bly m able in the longitudinal' groove alternately slidable Within the transverse groove, the walls of which cooperate with the sides ci the stem member thereby secu-ring the stem member to the parent member, said stem member also having lugs extending transversely at one end thereof, said lugs being adapted to fit into the recess laterally adjacent one end of the longitudinal groove when the stem is mounted therein and to t against and over the areas of the parent member laterally adjacent the end of said transverse groove When the stern is mounted therein to form a T square, said areas and the undersurfaces of the lugs being bevelled and the longitudinal eX- tent of the bevelled surfaces of the lugs being less than the bevelled areas of the parent member contacted thereby.

2. A multipurpose ruler comprising, a. parent rulerl member having a longitudinal bevelled surface forming a straight edge and having a longitudinally extending groove formed in one of its surfaces and a transverse groove formed in a similar surface, both grooves having substantially the same plane as a base level, the areas of the parent member laterally adjacent one end of said longitudinual groove being bevelled from the base level of said groove inwardly to the top surface of the parent member; and a groove matching stem member slidably mountable in the longitudinal groove and alternately slidable Within the transverse groove, the walls of which cooperate with the sides of the stem member thereby securing the stem member relative to the parent member, said stem member also having lugs extending transversely at one end thereof, the under surfaces of said lugs having a bevel complementary to that of the parent ruler areas laterally adjacent one end of said longitudinal groove', and similarly complementary to the longitudinal bevel adjacent one end of the transverse groove, said under surfaces of said lugs being adapted to engage the bevelled areas of the ruler adiacent said groove ends, said bevelled under surface o the lugs extending longitudinally of the stem from the outer and lower extremity to the inner and upper extremity of the lugs and being of less Width than the bevelled surface of the parent member.

SEYMOUR HAACEI.

CTlED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 556,8@ Biggs Mar. 24, 1896 827,239 l-loy July 3l, 1906 858,498 Bartels July 2, 1907 1,050,733 Greathead' Jan. 14, 19l3 1,088,175 Phillips Feb. 2li, 1914 1,243,568 Steczynski Oct. 16, 1917 1,919,5l Grin July 25, 1933 2,336,393 Combes Dec. 7, 1943 

